Senate Bill S7322

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S7322

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the providing of
school social work and school psychologists' services, and the
employment of attendance teachers in public schools


 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :
This bill adds a new subdivision 3 to Section 3213 of the Education
Law to provide that the minimum number of certified attendance
teachers to be employed by each school district of the state shall be
in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of
Education which set numerically a ratio of attendance teachers to
students. The bill requires that any person newly employed as an
attendance teacher shall be duly certified as an attendance teacher.

The bill also adds a new Section 3204-a to the Education Law to
require all school districts to provide school social work services
and school psychologists' services in accordance with regulations
prescribed by the commissioner of Education and to further require
that persons employed to provide such services shall be duly certified
as school social workers or school psychologists in accordance with
regulations prescribed by the Commissioner.

 JUSTIFICATION :
              

New York State's public schools are committed to providing a quality
educational program for all students. Obviously, education can not
take place if the student does not attend school, nor can effective
education take place if the student is not well adjusted to school. An
adequate staff of certified attendance teachers is essential to ensure
that students not only attend school but that they are well adjusted
to school.

The attendance teacher is the liaison person between the home and
school charged with the responsibility to protect the right of the
student to a quality education. The attendance teacher seeks the
causes of nonattendance, assists in the school adjustment of the
student and interprets the home situation to the professional staff.
As such, the attendance teacher is an important team member to help
broaden the school's knowledge and understanding of the home and to
assist the student in becoming well adjusted to school life.
Enactment of this bill would enhance the effectiveness of education in
the State by setting minimal standards of employment of attendance
teachers in the schools of the state.

The bill also requires all school districts to provide school social
work services and school psychologists' services by duly certified
school social workers or school psychologists, in accordance with
regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Education. An adequate
program of school social work services and school psychological
services is an appropriate and necessary part of the public school
program.

The school social worker acts as a liaison between the home and the
school, working with the parents, teachers and children. The school
social worker attempts to (1) identify the problems the child may be
facing at home and at school and (2) coordinate a planned program with
the parents and with the teacher in order to enable the child to
resolve his/her problems and, thus, achieve a meaningful education.

At a time when children are faced with increasing personal and
societal pressures that affect their school performance and personal
development, the school psychologist provides invaluable diagnostic
and treatment services. Working with the parents and teachers of the
troubled child, the school psychologist identifies the problems
experienced by the child at home and at school and coordinates a
planned program of treatment in order to enable the child to resolve
his/her problems and, thus, achieve a meaningful education.

In a time of increased juvenile delinquency, increased consumption of
alcohol and drugs and increased vandalism in the schools, it becomes
absolutely necessary to offer social work services and school
psychological services by certified personnel who are qualified to aid
in the resolution of such problems.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
2000:  A.1655 Referred to Education
2001:  A.1655 Referred to Education
2001:  A.9924 Referred to Education

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
July 1 following enactment.